Just a few links and thoughts about online learning from articles that were in ASCD SmartBrief this week.

The first, from the Des Moines Register, discussed Iowa’s plans for going to a four-day school week.  The school day would be extended for those four days.  The impetus is mainly budgeting.  Rural school divisions with traditionally long bus routes have been pummeled by rising transportation costs.  According to the article, the school districts that have gone to four day weeks have found positive effects on attendance for both teachers and students.  But there was no influence either positive or negative on student achievement.  As I read the article, I wondered if any of them had considered incorporating online learning.  It seems like they are only thinking about face to face learning time as being “school” hours.

In Arkansas, they have thought about the potential for online learning as a solution to long bus rides.  They have combined the two!  According to an article from the Arkansas News Bureau, one school division’s answer has been to give students laptops and iPods and have them take online math and science courses as they ride to and from school.  That isn’t quite what I had in mind, I guess, but it is an interesting solution, isn’t it?

Finally, from the Miami Herald, coverage of Florida’s virtual school mandate.   All school districts have to have virtual school options available.  They can create their own or find a provider.  The article does a good job of covering the issues of the legislation, mostly concerned with logistics and the vagueness of the law.  But it points to the possibilities of online learning as well.